S5 EP8: Michael Cera on working with Tom Cruise, featuring in 'Barbie', and never graduating
The Louis Theroux Podcast
Shownotes Transcript
In this very special bonus episode, Louis is joined by actor and writer Michael Cera. Michael tells Louis about his foul-mouthed run-in with Tom Cruise, nearly missing out on his role as Allan in Barbie, and the reason he never graduated from high school. Plus, Louis reveals which Superbad character he most aligns with…
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Warnings: Strong language
Links/Attachments:
Film: The Phoenician Scheme (2025) - dir. Wes Anderson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEuMnPl2WI4)
TV Show: Arrested Development (2004-2019) - Fox/Netflix
https://www.netflix.com/title/70140358)
TV Show: The Office (2001-2003) - BBC
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/b00jd68z/the-office)
TV Show: The Grubbs (2002) - Fox
https://youtu.be/knwPbzLWCNQ?si=9d10SEXncfPkrdaK)
Film: Superbad (2007)
https://www.netflix.com/title/70058023)
Advert: ‘Pillsbury Doughboy Commercial’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDEYPbfWY6I)
Film: Year One (2009)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4H_Eepvg3aU)
Film: Ghostbusters (1984)
https://www.netflix.com/title/541018)
Film: A Minecraft Movie (2025)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJO_vIDZn-I)
Film: Anora (2024)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1HxTmV5i7c)
Film: Funny Games (1997) - dir. Michael Haneke
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ec-70W_K77U)
Film: Benny’s Video (1992) - dir. Michael Haneke
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18X_kyHW3G0)
Film: White Ribbon (2009) - dir. Michael Haneke
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JOXs8KEiDY)
Film: The Castle (1997) - dir. Michael Haneke
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x8hsui0)
Film: Right Now, Wrong Then (2015) - dir. Hong Sang-soo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOE-Zznq_S4)
Film: Yourself and Yours (2016) - dir. Hong Sang-soo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48F7SkR8yew)
Film: Claire’s Camera (2017) - dir. Hong Sang-soo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4-C5L0TupE)
Short Story: ‘My Man Jeremy’ - Michael Cera
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2013/11/25/my-man-jeremy)
Short Story: ‘Pinecone’ - Michael Cera
https://store.mcsweeneys.net/products/mcsweeneys-issue-30)
Book: True Grit – Charles Portis
Book: *Masters of Atlantis *– Charles Portis
Book: Dog of the South – Charles Portis
TV Show: Scenes from a Marriage (2021) - HBO
Film: Fanny and Alexander (1982)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euGIHjc6C_Q)
Film: Barbie (2023)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBk4NYhWNMM)
TV Show: Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace (2004) - Channel 4
https://www.channel4.com/programmes/garth-marenghis-darkplace)
Film: Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World (2010) - dir. Edgar Wright
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wd5KEaOtm4)
Film: This Is The End (2013)
https://www.netflix.com/title/70264796)
Documentary: *Louis Theroux: Miami Mega Jail *(2011) - BBC
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b011k0xx)
Film: Rushmore (1998) - dir. Wes Anderson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZVdXXG3KN8)
Film: A Clockwork Orange (1971) - dir. Stanley Kubrick
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T54uZPI4Z8A&pp=0gcJCdgAo7VqN5tD)
TV Show: Mr. Show with Bob and David (1995-1998) - HBO
https://www.hbo.com/mr-show-with-bob-and-david)
Film: *Bottle Rocket *(1996) - dir. Wes Anderson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJPQ-NnjZR0)
Credits:
Producer: Millie Chu
Assistant Producer: Maan al-Yasiri
Production Manager: Francesca Bassett
Music: Miguel D’Oliveira
Audio Mixer: Tom Guest
Video Mixer: Scott Edwards
Executive Producer: Arron Fellows
A Mindhouse Production for Spotify
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